Author Topic: FRONT SPRINGS  (Read 11140 times)

Offline oldredtruck

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FRONT SPRINGS
« on: August 28, 2009, 01:35:48 pm »
 okay gentlemen - here goes...
once my resto/mod stuff was done on my 85 - ( including a drop kit - 5" rear - 5" front - spindles/springs)
it looks great - gotta mean rake - does good if I am careful and don't drive too far - too fast...
I take it to local shows - a few cruise nights - get alot of compliments blah blah...
prob is - the tires rub the top of the fenderwells...pretty scary at 75 movin down I-35 lemme tell ya...
The springs are Eibach 2" drops... I cant find a spring that just offers 1" drop - that'd be perfect... give me just enuf room...but even Belltech has a "range" on their springs from 1 - 1.6 " in drop with their advertised one inch drop spring... that is too much mystery for me...I am having trouble finding some 1" aluminum spacers to put either on top of or under the coils...I'd even take 2 inchers and just mill em down...
any leads? my clearance would be way more tolerable and prob safer...
85 shortbed...She digs it...

Offline CruzByU

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2009, 03:46:27 pm »
I used to run the aluminum twist-in spacers in the rear coil springs of my Chevelle and never had a problem. You said you could "mill them down", so I'm assuming you have machining skills/tools or access to some. If so, you could make a spacer and slip it between the springs. Hope this helps.


"There's no life, like the lowlife"
1964 Chevelle Malibu SS(1st car-still got it!)
1998 GMC ext-cab(bagged)
2001 Chevy Tahoe(Cowl hood, billet grille, 20" Centerlines-Momma's Ride)
2005 Chevy 2500 4dr 4wd Duramax
1975 Chevy C10 LWB
1982 GMC C10 LWB

Offline oldredtruck

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2009, 06:32:12 am »
I am looking for a "cup" type spacer that goes either below or above the springs between the control arms...
I know they exist - just cant find em...
85 shortbed...She digs it...

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2009, 08:23:34 am »
How about a lower profile tire?

or put stock springs and trim them.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline oldredtruck

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2009, 02:04:50 pm »
lower profile tire would also effectively reduce my ground clearance  creating  the same prob but at a diff. location...plus it wouldn't look like it does...
cutting the stock springs would mean having to cut exactly where the pigtail goes into the control arm - may be too much drop  - may not be enuf...
may have to just go thru the scrap alum pile and get to millin on some...dangit!
85 shortbed...She digs it...

Offline N2TRUX

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2009, 10:29:43 am »
cutting the stock springs would mean having to cut exactly where the pigtail goes into the control arm - may be too much drop  - may not be enuf...
What pigtail? Your front spring doesn't have a pig tail. I realize it would be trial and error, but I would cut half a coil off of the stock spring and see what happens.

Offline Captkaos

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2009, 08:52:46 pm »
If you want a specific amount the best way (and how I used to do it) take stock springs cut 1/2 coil of and put them in and then got 1/4 coil at a time.

Offline oldredtruck

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2009, 10:34:46 pm »
 I guess by pigtail I meant the terminal end of the spring where it fits into the recess/ divot in the control arms... but I am sure you cats wouldn't lead me astray so - just so happens I have a brand nex set of Eibach stocker height springs - operation choppy choppy will commence.
85 shortbed...She digs it...

Offline Captkaos

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2009, 06:12:14 pm »
That section really doesn't matter when your lowering it.

Offline eventhorizon66

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2009, 08:15:28 pm »
It just so happens I have a brand nex set of Eibach stocker height springs - operation choppy choppy will commence.

Eibach makes stock height springs?
'85 C10 SWB 350 700R4 TKO600

Offline oldredtruck

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2009, 10:04:36 am »
 -  you know what event! - I was in the garage lookin at both boxes and you're right I think...
my 2" drop springs are eihgbachs and the stockers are somethin I got from Jegs I think... don't matter - they are gettin cut no matter who makes em'...
Thanks again for the info folks - I appreciate it!
~ Tim
85 shortbed...She digs it...

Offline mooseknuckles

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2009, 05:19:30 pm »
I cut my stock front springs 1 1/2 coils and it dropped the front just under 2".

Offline Flamingbig10

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2009, 07:15:57 pm »
did the spring settle because with that much cut off should of lowered it around 3"s 

Offline oldwhity

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2009, 07:22:39 pm »
I actually think it didn't settle that much. I cut 2 coils and the dang thing dropped 4.5" and yes I had to cut the bumpstops and mounts off the LCA. I'm know i'll never be able to align it like it is but i'm hoping for the ability to buy bags in the future.
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline Flamingbig10

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Re: FRONT SPRINGS
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2009, 08:48:16 pm »
I heard that two guy lowered the front that much by cut coils and they didn't have any problems with alignment they had to add longer alignment studs
« Last Edit: September 22, 2009, 09:23:32 pm by Flamingbig10 »